Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. Phillip Peterson
56 Rifle
A close copy of the AK-47 and first produced in 1958, this select fire rifle is chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge. It is fitted with a 16" barrel and has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds. This model has a folding bayonet hinged below the muzzle. Weight is about 8.4 lbs. Rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. Markings on left side of receiver. Still in production. This rifle was adopted by Chinese forces and was seen in Cambodia as well.
There are a number of subvariations of the Type 56. Early guns had machined receivers with Chinese characters for selector markings, some of which are marked “M22” to designate export sales. Another style is fitted with a folding spike bayonet as well as a machined receiver. Still another style has a stamped receiver, Chinese characters for selector markings, and a folding spike bayonet. All are direct copies of the Soviet model AK-47.
Another variation of the Type 56 was the Type 56-1, which featured prominent rivets on a folding metal butt. No bayonet. Other variants of the Type 56-1 are fitted with a folding spike bayonet and folding metal buttstock. The Type 56-2 has a skeleton tubular stock which folds to the right side of the receiver with no bayonet. There is also the Type 56-C with plastic furniture, side folding butt with cheekpiece, and improved sights with no bayonet.
NOTE: Type 56 rifles manufactured by China North Industries (NORINCO) will have stamped on the left side of the receiver the number “66” in a triangle.
Pre-1968
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 32500 | 30000 | 28000 |
Pre-1986 conversions
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 15000 | 14000 | 13000 |
Type 56 (AK Clone semi-automatic versions)
Imported from China in semi-automatic versions and built by Poly Tech and Norinco in different styles and configurations, some of which are listed below.
Milled Receiver—Poly Tech
NOTE: For folding stock version add 20 percent.
Type 79
A Chinese copy of the Soviet Dragunov SVD sniper rifle.
MACHINE GUNS
NOTE: See also Great Britain, Machine Guns, Bren MK2.
Type 24
A Chinese copy of the German Model 1909 commercial Maxim built under the supervision of German engineers.
Pre-1968
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 25000 | 18500 | 15000 |
Pre-1986 manufacture with new side plate
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 12500 | 11000 | 10000 |
Type 53 • Courtesy West Point Museum, Paul Goodwin photo
Pre-1968
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 28000 | 26000 | 24000 |
Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or re-weld
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 20000 | 17500 | 15000 |
Type 53
Chinese copy of the Soviet DPM machine gun.
Pre-1968
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 20000 | 18000 | 16000 |
Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or re-weld
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 10000 | 9000 | 8000 |
Type 57 with mount • Courtesy West Point Museum, Paul Goodwin photo
Type 54
Chinese-made variation of the Soviet DShK 38/46.
Pre-1968
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| — | 35000 | 30000 |
Type 56
Chinese copy of the Soviet Model RPD light machine gun.
Pre-1968 (Rare)
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
|
45000 |